With just one win in their last seven PL games (D1, L5), Newcastle were in desperate need of turning their league form around, but they were coming up against the division’s form team during that same period, with Carrick’s Red Devils claiming six victories (D1).
The Magpies were guilty of a lethargic performance in their 3-2 loss at home to Everton on the weekend, but it was the polar opposite here, as the Toon Army roared them onto a rapid start. Kieran Trippier saw his cross bounce off the woodwork, and Lewis Hall pounced on the loose ball but blazed over the bar.
The home side were dominant inside the opening quarter-hour as Anthony Elanga flashed a shot narrowly wide, before Joelinton dispossessed compatriot Casemiro and picked out Harvey Barnes on the edge of the box, but his effort curled past the post.
The visitors struggled to get going, but eventually created multiple openings before the interval.
Kobbie Mainoo forced Aaron Ramsdale into a save with a rasping shot from distance, while Matheus Cunha was denied minutes later by the returning Magpies stopper and Bryan Mbeumo skied the rebound from a few yards out.
The hosts were dealt a blow in first-half stoppage time when Jacob Ramsey was shown a second yellow card for simulation, yet Eddie Howe’s men were awarded a penalty almost immediately after when Bruno Fernandes brought down Anthony Gordon just inside the box. The in-form forward stepped up to give the Toon Army the lead from 12 yards.
However, there was to be one more twist in a frantic end to the first half as United equalised through Casemiro, who nodded in from Fernandes’ free-kick into the box.
Despite going a man down before the break, the home side dominated possession in the early parts of the second half but failed to capitalise, with Gordon seeing an effort comfortably saved by Senne Lammens.
Carrick’s men struggled to make their numerical advantage count, which resulted in a double-substitution on the hour mark.
Instead, Newcastle should have restored their advantage on 66 minutes when Sandro Tonali’s corner to the back post was met by a sliding Gordon, but he failed to steer his effort on target.
The visitors began to dominate with 20 minutes remaining and should have gone ahead when Fernandes picked out Leny Yoro in the box, but the Frenchman’s header was stopped by Ramsdale.
Joshua Zirkzee was next to be denied by Ramsdale, who got a strong hand to save his dipping effort, and those saves proved pivotal when Newcastle substitute Osula stunned the visitors, cutting inside from the right flank before sending a stunning curling effort into the far corner in stoppage time.
That proved to be the winner and saw the Red Devils fail to strengthen their position inside the top four. Newcastle, meanwhile, claim their first PL victory at home in almost two months.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Aaron Ramsdale (Newcastle)
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